Chicken-coop.



J. B. WELGH.

CHICKEN COOP.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.31, 1913.

1,087,414, Patented Feb. 17, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

5 J12 li e/6'12,

Inventor Attorneys J. B. WELSH.

CHICKEN COOP.

APPLICATION FILED 111111.31, 1913.

1,087,414, Patented Feb. 17,1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Witnesses Inventor Attorneys UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHNSON B. WELCH, OF STOCKPORT, IOWA, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF TO ARTHUR H. HIATT, OF STOCKPORT, IOWA.

CHICKEN-COOP.

Specificationof Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 17, 1914.

Application filed March 31, 1913. Serial No. 757,986.

The object of the present invention is to provide a chicken coop which may be collapsed or folded for shipment or storage within a small compass and which may be readily erected for use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a coop embodyin hinged sides and ends in combination wit a removable top or roof engaged to the sides in novel manner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a removable bottom adapted to normally fit between the sides and ends and adapted to be engaged to certain of said parts in a novel manner to maintain the bottom in position and to maintain the sides and ends in position.

A further object of the present invention is to provide novel means for hingedly connecting the sides and ends together so that they may be readily and compactly folded, and in order that when they are opened or unfolded, a substantial and weather proof coop will be provided.

As a still further object, the present invention aims to provide a door opening in one or both ends in combination with a pair of doors for each opening, one door being solid and the other door being reticu lated, and either of the doors being adapted to be slid over or away from the door opening or doorway.

It is also the object of the present invention to provide novel means for slidably supporting the doors upon the inner face of the end, and in such a manner that the sides and ends may be folded together without interference.

The present invention also contemplates for the provision of a coop of the character indicated which shall be comparatively simple, substantial and inexpensive in construction, as well as serviceable, convenient and eificient in its use.

, With the foregoing general objects outlined and with other objects in view, which will be apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention has been illustrated in its preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference charac ters have been employed to denote like parts, and wherein :--Figure 1 is a perspective view of the coop, a portion of the cover or roof being broken away. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the coop. Fig. 3 is a fragmental section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section of the coop, with the bottom removed and with the sides and ends partially folded together. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the cross-rods or links. Fig. 6 is a fragmental elevation embodying a modification. Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 embodying another modification. Fig. 8 is a sectional detail takenon the line 8-8 of Fig. 6.

In carrying out the invention, reference being had in detail to the. drawings, there is provided a pair of sides 1, a front end 2, a rear end 8, a bottom 4, and a top or roof 5, each of which are fashioned from sheet metal or other similar stock.

The ends of the sides 1 are curled inwardly, as at 6', to provide hinge butts, and a pair of upper and lower cross-rods or links 7 are provided at each end, the crossrods having their ends bent angularly and taking into the ends of the respective butts 6, so as to link the ends of the sides together.

The ends 2 and 3 are flush with the respective butts 6 and cross-rods 7 and have their upper and lower edges bent back angularly and curled upwardly and outwardly around the cross-rods 7, as denoted by the numeral 8. The ends are, thus attached or secured to the cross-rods, the cross-rods thus being maintained in engagement with the butts 7 and it being noted that the sides and ends are adapted to fold, together, as depicted in Fig. 4.

The lower edges of the sides 1 are outturned to provide flanges 9, which may be employed for anchoring the coop in position, or which may serve to support the coop on a surface. The upper edges 10 of the sides 1 are bent back or downturned outwardly, while the side edges 11 of the top or roof 5 are downturned and then bent back to slidably engage the do-wnturncd edges, 10 of the sides. It will be noted that the roof 5 may purpose of shedding rain.

though it is to be understood, that the door way may be provided at one end only, the other end being solid or closed. The bottom at is adapted to fit between the sides and ends, the same being rectangular, and the same is provided at its ends with the extensions or depending aprons 14 passing through the doorways 13 and seating on the lower edges of the doorways so as to overhang the lowermost portions 8. The bottom 4: is also provided at its side edges with the downturned flanges 15 fitting snugly within the sides 1, and serving to support the bottom against depression, the bottom being supported above the lower edges of the sides and ends.

The side edges of the ends 2 and 3 are inturned and bent backward, as at 16, to provide slidewa-ys or guides for the doors. Within each pair of guideways or slides 16 there is mounted a pair of doors 17 and 18, the former being solid and the latter consisting of a frame having a reticulated or meshed wire panel. The respective doors 17 and 18 may be slid upwardly away from the doorways or may be lowered, either of the doors being adapted to be lowered. The solid doors 17 are disposed outermost, while the doors 18 are disposed innermost, and have the strips 19 secured to their ends and overlapping the inturned edges of the ends, so that the doors 18 are guided properly in order that they will notinterfere with the operation of the doors 17. Hooks or latches 20 are loosely suspended from the upper portions of the ends 2 and 3 and are adapted to engage a series of apertures provided with the doors 1? while they are also adapted to engage through the wire mesh or screening of the doors 18 to maintain any of the doors in any position desired.

WVhen the coop has been erected, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the same will f cleaned, which Each of the ends is provided with a passage or doorway 13 in 1ts lower half, 211-.

be substantial and weather noted that the roof 5 is so sides as to prevent rain, sleet, or the like, from entering the top of the coop and it being noted that the side edges of the ends fit snugly against the butts 6 of the sides so as to prevent any cracks or openings through which the elements might pass. Either of the doors 17 or 18 may be lowered, the former being desirable during stormy or bad weather, and the latter being desirable during good weather, to permit of proper ventilation, light, etc. It is to be noted that when the doors are lowered, they proof, it being engaged to the are adapted to seat 011 the extensions 14' of the bottom which engage over the lower edges of the doorways. The bottom having the extensions fitting through the doorways also permits the coop to bereadily is highly desirable. The particular engagement of the sides and roof serves to strengthen or brace the coop and permlts the coop to be lifted or carried about through the medium of the roof. As a. whole, the coop when erected, will provide ample protection for the chickens, the coop excluding the elements in an efficient manner.

When it is desired to fold or collapse the coop, such as for purpose for shipment or storage, the top or roof 5 may be readily disengaged by sliding the same forward out of engagement with the sides 1, and the bottom 1 may be removed after the doors have been raised, by swinging the respective extensions 1 1 out of engagement with the doorways, as will be apparent. -When the roof and bottom have thus been removed, the sides and ends may be folded together in the manner indicated in Fig. 41-, and the top and bottom may then be assembled therewith wlthin a small compass, it being noted that it 1s not necessary to remove the doors, but on the other hand, the doors may fold with the ends in a compact and desirable manner. It will be noted that there are only three parts, and that these may be readily taken apart and set up as desired.

From the foregoing, taken in connection with the drawing, the advantages and cardinal features of the present invention will be apparent, it being noted that the objects have been carried out satisfactorily.

In Figs. 6 and 7, there have been illustrated alternate end structures, which may be employed in lieu of the end structures above described. In Fig. 6 the end 2 has its side edge 2 overlapping the butt 6 of the side, and has its upper and lower edges 8 bent over and back of the respective crossrods 7. A channel-shaped member 16' is riveted or secured to the end 2 along the butt 6 to provide the guide or slideway for the doors. In this form it will be noted that the end passes completely over the ends or butts 6 of the sides, although the sides and ends may fold together in the manner above indicated without interference. As illustrated in Fig. 7, the end embodies an upper portion 22 and a lower portion 22, the portion 22 having its side edge 2 overlapping the butt 6 of the side, while the lower portion 22 terminates short of the butt 6. The channel-shaped guide or slideway 16 being riveted or secured to the respective portions 22 and 22 so as to rigidly secure them together as well as providing means for guiding the doors. These and other alternate details may be employed within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing the benefits derived.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. In a chicken coo-p, hinged sides and ends, a roof detachably engaged thereto, ends having openings therein, and a bottom fitting between the sides and ends, and having extensions engaging through and seating on the lower edges of the openings.

2. In a chicken coop, hinged sides and ends, a roof detachably engaged thereto, ends having openings therein, doors slidably carried by the ends, and a bottom fitting between the sides and ends and having clownturned extensions passing through and seating on the lower edges of the openings.

3. In a chicken coop, a pair of sides, upper and lower cross-rods pivotally connecting the ends of the sides, and ends having their upper and lower edges bent around the press-rods, the side edges of the ends being ree.

4. In a chicken coop, a pair of sides, upper and lower cross-rods pivotally connect ing the ends of the sides, ends having their upper and lower edges secured to the crossrods, the ends having openings therein and having their edges bent to form slideways, and doors movable vertically in the slideways to and from the openings.

5. In a chicken coop, a pair of sides, upper and lower cross-rods pivotally connecting the ends thereof, ends having their upper and lower edges secured to the crossrods, the ends having doorways therein and having slideways along their side edges, a bottom fitting within the sides and ends and having extensions passing through and seating on the lower edges of the doorways, and doors slidably mounted in the respective slideways, and seatable on the extensions of the bottom.

6. In a chicken coop, a pair of sides having their ends bent into butts, upper and lower cross-rods having their ends bent angularly and engaged within the ends of the butts, and ends having their upper and lower edges bent around the cross-rods, the side edges of the ends being free.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHNSON B. WELCI-I. lVitnesses:

ALBERT L. DOUGLAS, MILAN G. MOTT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner Patents, Washington, D. G. 

